English Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Joint Pre-Mock Exams 2021/2022

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Instructions to Candidates

  • Answer all questions in the question paper
  1. COMPREHENSION (20 MARKS)
    Read the passage below then answer the questions that follow:

    My favourite aunt is a woman anyone would admire, both her physical features and character. She is the kind of person you want to be with all the time.

    She is the eldest in my father’s family but she looks the youngest. Though in her mild-sixties, she looks twenty years younger. It is as if she has signed a contract with perpetual youth. I have heard countless people ask her what her secret is, upon which she readily replies with a winsome smile. “I don’t look back in regret or look around in worry. Instead, I always look up in hope.” I don’t know, but I am tempted to believe that this philosophy has kept away the gnawing tooth of time.

    At about five feet, her height wouldn’t catch the eye of a basketball coach. However, it goes well with her body on which there isn’t an ounce of flabby flesh. Actually, the ravages of multiple childbirth and age have not robbed her of her waistline and shapely figure. For one who has never heard of a gym let alone worked out in one, she is nicely put together.

    One grudge that I have against her is that she inherited the very best that her parents had to offer in terms of hair, leaving my dad with stingy strands that you can almost count. No wonder mine defies even the most qualified stylist. When she was younger, my aunt liked to display hers in fancy hair-dos. I have seen earlier photographs in which it is shinny black, shoulder length and full bodied. Today, it has thinned a little and is no longer as long due to breakage. Shy streaks of gray are appearing but if you consider that some people twenty years her junior are already white- haired then you must concede that it is one of her best features. She usually plaits it into two thick knots, one at the front and the other at the back. She then covers it with a headscarf as is required by her denomination.

    She denies it but I bet that her face earned her many male stares when she was young. Dark in complexion, it is still smooth and even in tone though edged with tiny lines----- I don’t like to call them wrinkles. Her eyes are bright with hope and wisdom. Even when she is sad, they retain their luster and intensity. Her arched bushy eyebrows seem to be guarding these gems zealously. To complete the picture, her nose and mouth complement her rounded face perfectly. Her husband, my uncle, often teasingly tells her that her lips are a little too thick. Being one to never lack a quick response or take offense easily, she quips: “Well the thicker the better to declare my overflowing love for you.” For me, they are a reflection of her generous spirit.

    Although she is not a fashion enthusiast, my aunt knows a thing or two about dressing smartly and elegantly. Her ankle – length pleated dresses are always neatly pressed and matched with the headscarf. She is fussy about who makes her outfits because she wants them to come out just right. I am sure she had sampled several seamstresses before she settled on her current one to whom I have been introduced. Navy blue is her favourite colour. I have heard it said that it is the colour of confidence and if my aunt is anything to go by, I think it is true.

    In the entire neighbourhood, she is known as “Mama Safi.” A former customer of hers tells me the nickname is two-fold. “years ago, she used to run a shop named so and she grew to become synonymous with it, hence the nickname. But the story doesn’t begin there. When she opened the shop, it was simply known as “Duka”. She would sweep in front of it every so often and sprinkle water to keep away dust. Inside the items were neatly arranged according to their types and sizes. If she accidently spilt substances like milk and sugar, she would immediately clean up the mess.”

    Perhaps you are wondering why I like Auntie Joyce so much. Well, we, her nieces and nephews concur that she does many things for us. She spoils us the way only a grandmother can, she advises us the way only an aunt can, imparting pearls of wisdom when the girls confide their men’s troubles in her; she supports us the way only friends can – listening to our side of the story when our parents fail to.
    (Taken from Secret from Beyond; Oloo Oliver, unpublished)
    QUESTIONS
    1. According to the passage why is the narrator’s aunt her favourite. (2mks)
    2. What is the secret behind the narrator’s aunt’s youthful appearance? (2mks)
    3. Why does the narrator begrudge her favourite aunt? (2mks)
    4. ‘Although she is not a fashion enthusiast, my aunt knows a thing or two about dressing smartly and elegantly.’ (Rewrite beginning Dressing....) (1mk)
    5. How can we tell that the narrator’s aunt is aging? (2mks)
    6. Describe the relationship between the narrator’s aunt and her uncle. (2mks)
    7. Explain why ‘gym’ is mentioned in this passage. (2mks)
    8. What evidence is there in the passage to show that the narrator’s aunt wants her to follow in her footsteps. (2mks)
    9. List why the narrator’s favourite aunt is liked by the nieces and nephews. (2mks)
    10. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the passage. (3mks)
      1. Signed a contract with perpetual youth. ______________________________________
      2. Earned her many male stares. _____________________________________________
      3. Pearls of wisdom. _____________________________________________________
  2. Henrik Ibsen, A Doll’s House
    Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
    (25 Marks)

    Nora:     And I?
    Helmer: You too, of course; we are both saved, both you and I. Look, he sends you your bond back. He says he regrets and repents – that a happy change in his life – never mind what he says! We are saved, Nora! – no one can do anything to you. Oh, Nora, Nora! – no, first I must destroy these hateful things. Let me see – (takes a look at the bond) No, no, I won’t look at it. The whole thing shall be nothing but a bad dream to me. (Tears up the bond and both letters, throws them all into the stove, and watches them burn.) There – now it doesn’t exist any longer. He says that since Christmas Eve you – These must have been three dreadful days for you, Nora.

    Nora:     I have fought a hard fight these three days,
    Helmer: And suffered agonies, and seen no way out but -. No, we won’t call any of the horrors to mind. We will only shout with joy, and keep saying, “It’s all over! It’s all over” Listen to me, Nora. You don’t seem to realize that it is all over. What is this? – such a cold, set face! My poor little Nora, I quite understand; you don’t feel as if you could believe that I have forgiven you. But it is true, Nora, I swear it; I have forgiven you everything. I know that what you did, you did out of love for me.

    Nora:     That is true.
    Helmer: You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband. Only you had not sufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used. But do you suppose you are any the less dear to me, because you don’t understand how to act on your own responsibility? No, no; only lean on me; I will advise you and direct you. I should not be a man if this womanly helplessness did not just give you a double attractiveness in my eyes. You must not think anymore about the hard things I said in my first moment of consternation, when I thought everything was going to overwhelm me. I have forgiven you, Nora; I swear to you I have forgiven you.

    Nora: Thank you for your forgiveness. (she goes out through the door to the right)
    QUESTIONS
    1. We are both saved”. What is Helmer referring to? (2mks)
    2. Who is the’ he’ referred to in the excerpt. Explain the happy change that has taken place in his life. (3mks)
    3. Identify the main issue brought out in this excerpt. (3mks)
    4. Comment on the dominant mood depicted in this passage. (3mks)
    5. Give one character trait of (4mks)
      1. Norah ______________________________________________________________
      2. Helmer _____________________________________________________________
    6. Comment on any two aspects of style used in the excerpt. (6mks)
    7. Supply the correct question tag.
      The whole thing shall be nothing but a bad dream to me. (1mk)
    8. Explain the meaning of this phrase as used in the excerpt ...moment of consternation. (1mk)
    9. What happens immediately after this excerpt?. (2mks)
  3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. (20 marks)
    SEVEN LADIES AND WILD FRUITS
    A Taita tale by Mshila Mercy Soko

    Once upon a time there lived seven ladies. These ladies were great friends and they lived in the same village. They performed all their chores. They fetched water together, gathered firewood and went to the forest to eat fruits together.

    One day they went to the forest to collect wild fruits. Before they began collecting, the fruits they agreed that they were going to pick them with closed eyes, ‘Fine’ they agreed then they began picking the fruits. Six of them touched each other and they opened their eyes. The seventh girl was not alerted and so she continued picking unripe fruits.

    When they had picked enough, they agreed that they shouldn’t look at their fruits until they are half way home. When they looked at their fruits, the seventh girl realized she had picked all unripe fruits, but the others had picked ripe ones.

    ‘All my fruits are unripe. What will I do?’ she asked ‘Go back and pick others, ‘ they said firmly. The girl decided to go back to the forest and pick some fruits for herself. On her way back before she could reach where the other girls were waiting, she met an ogre.

    ‘Young lady what are you carrying?’ it asked. The girl answered ‘it’s my wild fruits.’ ‘Give me one I eat.’ It ate very fast and asked for more until the girl had nothing to give. Then the ogre asked for the girl’s finger, the hand, the leg and finally swallowed the girl. The other girls waited for her until they gave up and went home. When the parents asked them where San was they explained she had gone back to collect ripe fruits and she never returned.

    Mwandime her elder brother listened to the story and took his quiver and spear. He went straight to the path they used when they go to the river to drink water. When the first ogre arrived, he asked it ‘ Who has swallowed San my sister?’ It sang. ‘The one who has swallowed San is at the far end making noise gwa gwa goat gwa gwa.

    Mwandime let it pass. The second ogre came and he asked the same question and he got the same answer. The third came and the same was repeated until the tenth and the last one came. It was fat and heavy and walked with a lot of difficulty. Mwandime stopped it and demanded to know who had swallowed his sister San. The ogre tried to sing ‘The one who swallowed your sister......... the one who has swallowed.....’ ‘Talk properly, sing properly.’ Retorted Mwandime. The ogre was unable to sing because it was the one that had swallowed Mwandime’s sister.

    Mwandime took out his spear and aimed at the ogre’s stomach. The stomach opened and San with the others who had suffered the same fate came out. Mwandime took San by the hand and they ran towards home and the other ogres in hot pursuit to avenge their friend’s death. ‘Frog we are being pursued by the ogres can you help us’ said Mwandime. ‘Come closer. I will swallow you and take you home and the ogre wont get you and take you.’ Replied the frog.

    So the frog swallowed San and Mwandime took them to the other side of the river and hoped towards their home. On the way, it met a chameleon and the frog sang.

    Don’t push me
    I am taking San home
    San has some wood
    San has some sugarcane
    It passed. When it came to San’s home, women were pounding maize. ‘How come this
    Frog is so fat’ remarked one. ‘Push it away.’

    Mm mm don’t push me
    I am taking San home
    San has some wood
    San has some sugar cane

    It vomited San and Mwandime at their home. They came out carrying precious things to the home. The family members and their friends were very happy to receive them home. The ogres were surprised when they came to the river they lost track of these two and so they gave up and went back home. A party was organized by San’s family members so that friends and neighbours can make merry and be happy. He was given a bride to marry and he settled down.

    My story ends here.
    QUESTIONS
    1. What do the ogres represent in the narrative? (2mks)
    2. Explain the use of fantasy in the narrative. (3mks)
    3. What is the significance of the song in the narrative? (3mks)
    4. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the passage. (2mks)
      1. Suffered the same fate.
      2. In hot pursuit
    5. Give one character trait for each of the following.
      1. Mwandime - (2mks)
      2. The girls - (2mks)
    6. Comment on any two features of this sub-genre (4mks)
    7. Describe two economic activities of the community in the narrative. (2mks)
  4. GRAMMAR (15 MARKS)
    1. Fill in the blank space with the correct form of the word in brackets. (4mks)
      1. The prices of the items were not____________________. (negotiate)
      2. The students were quite_______________ to the new teacher. (receive)
      3. The case received a just verdict because the judge is____________. (corrupt)
      4. The students’ _______________ of staying in school to going home for half term was welcome. (prefer)
    2. Fill in the blank spaces with the correct preposition (3mks)
      1. We danced________ the rhythm of their drums.
      2. I have placed the coffee table __________ the shade of that tree.
      3. The thief dashed__________ the house when he saw the police officers.
    3. Fill in the blank spaces with a suitable phrasal verb formed from the word in brackets.  (3 mks)
      1. We surely cannot _____________________such insults. (put)
      2. The captain _________________________ his crew throughout the trial. (back)
      3. Students have to work very hard to____________________ for lost time. (make)
    4. Rewrite the following sentences to have one clear meaning (2mks)
      1. I don’t like controlling people
      2. The teacher left the class feeling frustrated.
    5. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given. (3mks)
      1. As soon as the students completed the exams, they returned all the books to the library (Begin: No sooner).
      2. If you invite him, he will come to the party (Rewrite.............. unless....................)
      3. My class teacher intervened. I was not sent home (combine into one sentence using ‘but for’)

MARKING SCHEME

  1. COMPREHENSION
    (Taken from Secret from Beyond; Oloo Oliver, unpublished)
    QUESTIONS
    1. According to the passage why is the narrator’s aunt her favourite (2mks)
      • The writer’s aunt is a woman anyone would admire both for her physical features and character.
    2. What is the secret behind the narrator’s aunt’s youthful appearance? (2mks)
      • She does not look back in regret or look around in worry instead she always look’s up in hope
    3. Why does the narrator begrudge her favourite aunt? (2mks)
      • This is because the writer thinks that his/her aunt inherited the very best that her parents had to offer in terms of hair, leaving his / her dad with stingy strands that can almost be counted which is reflected in the narrator who inherits the fathers scanty hair.
    4. ‘Although she is not a fashion enthusiast, my aunt knows a thing or two about dressing smartly and elegantly.’ (Rewrite beginning Dressing....) (1mk)
      • Dressing smartly and elegantly is a thing known by my aunt although she is not a fashion enthusiast.
    5. How can we tell that the narrator’s aunt is aging? (2mks)
      • Her hair is thinned a little and is no longer as long due to breakage shy streaks of gray are appearing on her hair.
    6. Describe the relationship between the narrator’s aunt and her uncle. (2mks)
      • Loving – Her husband y uncle, often teasingly tells her that her lips are a little too thick. Being one to never lack a quick response or take offence easily. She quips; “Well the thicker the better to declare my overflowing love for you.”
      • Admiration – admires both her physical features and character.
    7. Explain why ‘gym’ is mentioned in this passage (2mks)
      • To show that the aunt is nicely put together ever though she has never heard of a gym or worked out in one.
      • Multiple child birth have not robbed her waistline and shapely figure ever though she has never been to a gym.
    8. What evidence is there in the passage to show that the narrator’s aunt wants her to follow in her footsteps. (2mks)
      • She has been introduced to her clothes designer who makes her ankle – length pleated dresses that are always neatly pressed and matched with the headscarf.
    9. List why the narrator’s favourite aunt is liked by the nieces and nephews. (2mks)
      • She spoils them
      • She advices them
      • She impacts them with pearls of wisdom
      • She supports them
      • She listens to them unlike their parents
    10. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the passage.
      1. Signed a contract with perpetual youth.
        • The aunt does not seem to age
      2. Earned her many male stares
        • Intense gaze / glare from males
      3. Pearls of wisdom
        • Giving helpful wisdom
  2. READ THE EXCERPT BELOW AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS GIVEN.
    QUESTIONS
    1. We are both saved”. What is Helmer referring to?
      • Krogstad had returned the bond, wrote a letter saying he no longer wishes to pursue the matter –1mk they are therefore saved from black mail by Krogstad who had threatened to expose the forgery thus tarnishing their reputation.1mk
    2. Who is the he referred to in the excerpt. Explain the happy change that has taken place in his life.
      • The he is Krogstad- 1mk. He had met Christine and the two are reunited in their love for each other.1mk
    3. Identify the main issue brought out in this excerpt.
      • Pain & suffering gender – Nora has had three dreadful days
      • Gender discrimination-Helmer belittles Nora and feels she should depend on him.
        Expect detailed illustrations from the passage
    4. Comment on the dominant mood depicted in this passage.
      • Jubilant / celebratory mood as Helmer expresses the joy after being set free by Krogstad
    5. Give one-character trait of
      1. Norah – loving, sarcastic, Resilient, perseverant
      2. Helmer – chauvinistic, patronizing, impulsive, judgmental
        Expect one trait for each character with supportive evidence.
    6. Comment on any two aspects of style used in the excerpt.
      • Sarcasm – thank you for your forgiveness/ irony, I have forgiven you everything, I knew you did it out of love for me.
    7. Supply the correct question tag.
      The whole thing shall be nothing but a bad dream to me. (1mk)
      • Won’t it?
    8. Explain the meaning of the phrase!... Moment of consternation,
      • Time of anxiety dismay / anger at something unexpected.
    9. What happens immediately after this excerpt?
      • Norah takes off the fancy dress in. Helmer tries to plead with her calm down and reassures her of shelter, protection, love, peace of mind.
  3. SEVEN LADIES AND WILD FRUITS
    A Taita tale by Mshila Mercy Soko
    QUESTIONS
    1. What do the ogres represent in the narrative? (2mks)
      • Greed – The ogre is not satisfied with eating San’s fruits but goes on to eat the finger, hand, leg and finally swallowed her.
      • Cruelty – The ogre eats San in bits until it swallows her.
      • Insecurity – San is not free to walk in the forest. (any two)
    2. Explain the use of fantasy in the narrative. (3mks)
      • People coming out of the ogres stomach alive
      • Frog swallows Mwandime and San and they come out alive.
      • When Frog met Chameleon it sang a song
      • Precious things came out of the frog’s stomach (any three)
    3. What is the significance of the song in the narrative? (3mks)
      • It breaks the monotony of narration thereby adding flavor to the story
      • Brings out the character of frog
      • Helps to develop plot
    4. What does the narrator mean by the following expressions? (2mks)
      1. Suffered the same fate.
        • Endured a similar experience
      2. In hot pursuit
        • Chased / followed
    5. Describe one character trait for each of the following.
      1. Mwandime (2mks)
        • Courageous – he controls the ogres and kills it
        • Caring / Responsible – He sets out in search of his sister.
      2. The girls (2mks)
        • Deceitful – Although they had agreed to pick fruits with their eyes closed, six of them touched each other and opened their eyes. (accept any other relevant trait and illustration.
    6. Comment on any two features of this sub-genre (4mks)
      • They have monstersf or ogres as main characters e.g the ogre that San met
      • They are full of exaggeration / hyperbole e.g the monster in this story has swallowed San as well as other people.
    7. Describe two economic activities of the community in the narrative. (2mks)
      • Gathering – The girls had gone to gather fruits in the wild
      • Farming – The woman in San’s home were pounding maize
      • Hunting – mwandime took his quiver and spear
  4. GRAMMAR
    1. Fill in the blank space with the correct form of the word in blackets
      1. The prices of the items were not negotiable (negotiate)
      2. The students were quite receptive to the new teacher (receive)
      3. The ease received a just verdict because the judge was incorruptible (corrupt)
      4. The students’ preference of staying in school to going home for halfterm was welcome (prefer)
    2. Fill in the blank spaces with the correct preposition
      1. We danced to the rhythm of their drums
      2. I have placed the coffee table in the shade of that tree
      3. The thief dashed into the house when he saw the police officers.
    3. Fill in the blank spaces with a suitable phrasal verb formed from The word in brackets.
      1. We surely cannot put up with such unsults (put)
      2. The captain backed up his crew throughout the trial (back)
      3. Students have to work very hard to make up for lost time (make)
    4. Rewrite the following sentences to have one clear meaning
      1. I, don’t like people who are controlling.
      2. Feeling frustrated, the teacher left class.
    5. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given.
      1. as soon as the students completed the exams, they returned all the books to the library (Begin: No sooner).
        • No sooner had the students completed the exams than they returned all the books to the library.
      2. If you invite him, he will come to the party (Rewrite.............. unless....................)
        • He will not come to the party unless you invite him.
      3. My class teacher intervened. I was not sent home (combine into one sentence using Bur for)
        • But for my class teacher’s intervention, I would have been sent home.
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